Crystal Castles

Crystal Castles (III) is the third studio album by Canadian electronic duo Crystal Castles, released on November 7, 2012. The album holds particular significance as it marked the final collaboration between producer Ethan Kath and vocalist Alice Glass before her departure from the band in 2014.

Produced by Ethan Kath with additional production by Jacknife Lee, the album was recorded in Berlin and Warsaw, then mixed in London. Unlike their previous works, Crystal Castles (III) addressed darker, more serious themes centered around oppression and injustice. Alice Glass explained the album's conceptual foundation, stating: A lot of bad things have happened to people close to me since II and it's profoundly influenced my writing as I've realized there will never be justice for them. I didn't think I could lose faith in humanity any more than I already had, but after witnessing some things, it feels like the world is a dystopia where victims don't get justice and corruption prevails.

The album's striking cover features an award-winning photograph by Spanish photojournalist Samuel Aranda, showing a Yemeni mother embracing her son who was suffering from tear gas effects during a 2011 street demonstration against President Ali Abdullah Saleh. This image, which won the World Press Photo of the Year 2011, perfectly captured the album's themes of suffering and oppression.

Musically, Crystal Castles (III) showcased a more focused and streamlined approach compared to their earlier chaotic sound. Critics described it as the duo's most serious set of songs yet, with influences from witch house and a continued exploration of different electronic textures through various pedals and keyboards. Notable tracks include Plague, Wrath of God, and Affection, which were released as singles with accompanying music videos.

The album received generally positive reviews, earning a Metacritic score of 76 based on 33 reviews. Critics praised the band for toning down their shock and awe approach while revealing the beating heart at the centre of their work. Pitchfork's Ian Cohen called it the duo's most focused record, noting improved songwriting within their streamlined sound.

Crystal Castles (III) performed modestly on the charts, debuting at number 145 on the Billboard 200 and reaching number 2 on the Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart. The album appeared on numerous year-end best album lists and has sold 52,000 copies in the United States as of 2016, cementing its place as an important, if bittersweet, conclusion to the original Crystal Castles era.